Definition of Kidney scoping

Kidney scoping: A procedure for doing surgery within the kidney using a flexible ureteroscope (fiberoptic viewing tube).

Formally known as retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). In RIRS, a ureteroscope is placed through the urethra (the urinary opening) into the bladder and then through the ureter into the urine-collecting part of the kidney. The scope thus is moved retrograde (up the urinary tract system) to within the kidney (intrarenal).

RIRS may be done to remove a stone. The stone is seen through the scope and can then be manipulated or crushed by an ultrasound probe, evaporated by a laser probe, or grabbed by small forceps.

RIRS is performed by a specialist, a urologist (endourologist) with special expertise in RIRS. The procedure is usually done under general or spinal anesthesia.